Two candidates are running for a four-year term as Seneca County District Attorney: incumbent Mark Sinkiewicz, who appears on the Democratic and Working Families party lines, and challenger John Nabinger, who is on the Republican and Conservative party lines.
Age: 64
Professional experience: Director of Rehabilitation, Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland, 1985-93; Assistant Public Defender, Raleigh County (W.Va.) Public Defender, 1993-96; Chief Assistant Public Defender, Greenbrier County, W.Va., 1996-2001; private practice, Sinkiewicz Law Office, 2001-03; Assistant District Attorney, Seneca County, 2003-12; First Assistant District Attorney, Seneca County, 2012-19; Acting District Attorney, Seneca County, 2019-20 elected District Attorney, Seneca County, 2020
Political experience: South Seneca Central School District Board of Education, Seneca County District Attorney
Family: Unbelievably patient wife of 35 years, Kathy; two great children who somehow went from childhood to adulthood in the blink of an eye
What do you view as the most important aspects of running an effective and efficient DA’s office?
As the District Attorney, I serve as the chief law enforcement officer for the county. In that role, I rely on a number of skills that have proved essential to our effectiveness and efficiency.
First and foremost are my 20 years as a prosecutor which have helped me counsel law enforcement, evaluate cases, interact with defense attorneys and represent the people of Seneca County in every court from local justice courts all the way up to the Court of Appeals. I also rely heavily on my administrative experience, which enables me to hire and supervise an excellent group of people who work tirelessly to keep Seneca County safe. I use those years of experience to create and manage our budget which enables us to do our job at a reasonable cost to taxpayers.
I implement policies and procedures that enable us to do our jobs effectively across the ten towns in our jurisdiction. Without that administrative experience, it would be impossible to maintain an effective office.
My work in human services enables me to connect with people of varying backgrounds and interests. This serves me well when networking with various groups and agencies throughout the county including heads of law enforcement, the magistrates and court clerks, probation officers and other related service groups. This interaction is vital to the effectiveness of not only my office but every group that plays a role in our criminal justice system.
Just 76 votes separated your candidacies in 2019, when another candidate (Chris Folk) earned more than 1,500 votes on minor party lines. Given that result, how are you approaching the campaign for this year’s election?
I avoid making assumptions and rely on data. I am focusing on getting the message out that every vote counts and every election is important and deserves voters’ attention.
This is an “off year” when there are no national elections and very few statewide issues. There may be some towns where the county races may be the only contests on the ballot. Nevertheless, they are deserving of every voter’s attention and need every voter to register their choice. Only then can we say that we truly have representative government. We cannot let the choices be decided by small, like-minded groups whose only criteria is allegiance. We need educated voters who know the qualifications offered by the candidates and use those as the measure of their vote.
My goal has been to present my qualifications and encourage Seneca County voters to get out and vote.
What do you believe makes you the better candidate for Seneca County district attorney?
I have the experience and track record that proves my ability, and this is not borne out of arrogance but out of 20 years of honing my craft through successes and failures that brought me to this wonderful job. I didn’t walk off the street and ask to be elected to this post. I haven’t dabbled in the job years ago and after decades away seek to take the top job. I started as a low-level assistant, working my way up to more difficult cases. I learned from some of the best prosecutors in the state. I worked with bosses and hired staff across party lines. Politics has never influenced my professional judgment, and I don’t get distracted by special interests. I respect the dignity of this office and use its power with humility to serve the people of Seneca County and keep them safe. It would be a privilege and a gift to be able to do that for four more years.
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Age: 56
Family: Single
Professional experience: 25-plus years working in our region’s criminal justice system
Political experience: Has never held elected office
What do you view as the most important aspects of running an effective and efficient DA’s office?
I’m proud to be the endorsed Republican and Conservative candidate in this year’s race for District Attorney. I began my career as an Assistant DA right here in Seneca County and it would be the honor of a lifetime to be elected as the people’s District Attorney.
I’m running to bring my 25-plus years of experience to serve the community we all love and to ensure that Seneca County’s families are safe. Having served as a prosecutor and public defender, I have the balanced perspective, experience and qualifications to ensure that justice is served firmly and fairly as your new District Attorney.
As your new DA, I will treat crime victims with the utmost priority. I’ve heard too many stories of victims and their families not having phone calls returned by the current District Attorney. That’s unacceptable and it will end when I take office.
Under my leadership, the DA’s Office will effectively and efficiently prosecute crime. We’ll be tough on dangerous and violent offenders who pose a risk to the community. For non-violent offenders and those who qualify and are willing to put in the work, we’ll look at alternative options to stop the cycle of recidivism.
Beyond managing the day-to-day prosecutions of the office, I will use the bully pulpit of the District Attorney’s Office to speak out against bad policies coming out of Albany that seem to protect criminals more than crime victims. I am firmly opposed to defunding the police and the bad bail reform legislation passed by the downstate Democrats who hold power in the state Capitol.
Just 76 votes separated your candidacies in 2019, when another candidate (Chris Folk) earned more than 1,500 votes on minor party lines. Given that result, how are you approaching the campaign for this year’s election?
This election is about the people of Seneca County. My approach to the campaign this year and last time has been simple. I’m sharing my qualifications and experience with the voters, and I trust them to make the right decision on Election Day.
What do you believe makes you the better candidate for Seneca County district attorney?
For 25 years, I’ve served as an attorney in state, county and municipal courtrooms across Upstate New York. During my career, I’ve handled more than 2,000 cases, including more than 1,000 felonies. I have the experience needed to do the job, and I have the commitment to ensure that victims and their families get the attention and answers they deserve.
In 1998, fresh out of law school, I began my career as an Assistant District Attorney in Seneca County. I later served as an Assistant District Attorney in Onondaga County for several years. During my time as a prosecutor, I handled various areas of prosecution, presented to the grand jury and handled felony cases including homicides.
For the past 20 years, I’ve worked nearly every day in the Seneca County court system while serving as a Seneca County Public Defender. In this role, I provide the constitutionally guaranteed right to a defense for those accused of crimes.
I believe firmly in the Constitution and Bill of Rights — and that includes the Second Amendment. As a graduate of the Syracuse University College of Law, SUNY Brockport, and Onondaga Community College, I’ve studied the law extensively and continue to work hard every day to ensure that every person’s rights are protected.
My balanced background has prepared me well to handle the challenges of the job. I stand ready, willing and able to serve the people of Seneca County, and I respectfully ask for their votes.